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Setting up a coral quarantine tank
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 2:16 am
by Luminar
I'm planning to set up a quarantine tank for my new corals. What's the bare minimum I need to get started? I've got a 10-gallon tank, a basic HOB filter, and a heater. Should I bother with live rock or just use PVC for hiding spots?
Re: Setting up a coral quarantine tank
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 4:03 am
by floriken
You're on the right track with the 10-gallon. I'd skip live rock in QT to avoid pests. PVC works fine, but make sure it's clean. What's your lighting setup? Corals need some light even in QT, but nothing too intense.
Re: Setting up a coral quarantine tank
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 5:48 am
by CrimsonFly
floriken wrote: ↑Wed Aug 27, 2025 4:03 am
You're on the right track with the 10-gallon. I'd skip live rock in QT to avoid pests. PVC works fine, but make sure it's clean. What's your lighting setup? Corals need some light even in QT, but nothing too intense.
Agreed on the PVC. For lighting, a basic LED like the Nicrew 20W should cut it. Keep the photoperiod short, maybe 6 hours, to avoid stressing them. Also, what's your plan for water changes?
Re: Setting up a coral quarantine tank
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 6:54 am
by catalyst
QT tanks are kinda boring, but gotta do it. I'd throw in a cheap wave maker too, just to keep things moving. Stagnant water's a no-go. And yeah, skip the live rock unless you wanna play pest roulette.
Re: Setting up a coral quarantine tank
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 7:53 am
by florian
Bare minimum is fine, but don't cut corners on water quality. Test for ammonia daily, especially if you're not using live rock. A small skimmer might help if you're keeping them in QT for more than a couple weeks. What corals are you quarantining?
Re: Setting up a coral quarantine tank
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 8:56 am
by angler40
florian wrote: ↑Wed Aug 27, 2025 7:53 am
Bare minimum is fine, but don't cut corners on water quality. Test for ammonia daily, especially if you're not using live rock. A small skimmer might help if you're keeping them in QT for more than a couple weeks. What corals are you quarantining?
Daily ammonia checks are key. I'd also recommend a bottle of Seachem Prime on hand. It's saved my butt more than once when spikes happen. How long are you planning to keep them in QT?
Re: Setting up a coral quarantine tank
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 9:11 am
by cambri
Skip the live rock, it's just asking for trouble. PVC's the way to go. And yeah, get a cheap powerhead, even a tiny one. Stagnant water's sketchy. What's your salt mix? Consistency's huge in QT.
Re: Setting up a coral quarantine tank
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 9:17 am
by Luminar
Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll stick with PVC and grab a basic LED. Planning to quarantine for 4 weeks, mostly Zoas and a couple Acans. Using Red Sea Coral Pro salt, same as my display.
Re: Setting up a coral quarantine tank
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 9:44 am
by silence
4 weeks is solid. Just watch for any signs of stress or pests. QT's boring but worth it.
Re: Setting up a coral quarantine tank
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 11:06 am
by floriken
Luminar wrote: ↑Wed Aug 27, 2025 9:17 am
Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll stick with PVC and grab a basic LED. Planning to quarantine for 4 weeks, mostly Zoas and a couple Acans. Using Red Sea Coral Pro salt, same as my display.
Good call on the salt. Consistency's key. Keep an eye on those Zoas, they can be sneaky with pests. A quick dip before QT wouldn't hurt.